Listeria from Cantaloupe Kills 13

An outbreak of Listeria infections linked to cantaloupe has killed at least 13 people, U.S. health officials say. Three other deaths are still being investigated. In all, 72 people have become sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the deaths have occurred in 8 states. They are mostly in the Midwest and West. Cases of illness were reported in 18 states. It’s the worst outbreak in at least a decade, the CDC said. The Food and Drug Administration found that people got sick after eating cantaloupe from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo. The farm recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupes earlier this month. Listeria bacteria usually don’t make people sick. The infection mainly affects the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. The Associated Press wrote about the outbreak September 28.